Michigan State Considered Skipping Michigan Game Amid Sign-Stealing Probe, per Report

The Spartans were reportedly concerned about the health and safety of their players.

As the NCAA investigates Michigan over sign-stealing allegations, their next opponent reportedly was ready to step away from the field.

The Athletic’s Brendan Quinn reports Michigan State approached the Big Ten to say it was considering not playing in the game this weekend, citing concern over the health and safety of its players. Initially, the conference gave Michigan State a heads up regarding the investigation to inform the school of Michigan’s alleged sign-stealing ahead of the game.

However, on Thursday, Michigan State told the league that it will play the game on Saturday as scheduled.

According to SI’s Pat Forde and Richard Johnson, the NCAA is investigating Michigan for scouting opponents in-person, a practice that was outlawed in 1994. Michigan allegedly used that scouting to determine opponents’ play signals, a sign-stealing operation that would be illegal. 

Michigan State considered skipping this week's game amid Michigan's sign-stealing investigation :: Nick King/Lansing State Journal/USA Today network

Michigan and Michigan State will resume their in-state rivalry this weekend, just a year after players on both teams got into an altercation in the tunnel after last year’s game. Since Jim Harbaugh took over as Michigan’s head coach in 2015, each side has a 4-4 record in the rivalry.